Power to Change – (Proof 12)
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Grace - Best Version By Far!’
From Gary Downey (sung by Judy
Collins)
“So from now on we regard no one from a human point of
view according to worldly standards and values.
Though we have known Christ from a human point of view, now we no longer
know Him in this way.
“Therefore if anyone is in Christ that is, grafted in,
joined to Him by faith in Him as Saviour, he is a new creature reborn and
renewed by the Holy Spirit; the old things the previous moral and spiritual
condition have passed away.
“Behold, new things have come because spiritual awakening
brings a new life. But all these things
are from God, who reconciled us to Himself through Christ making us acceptable
to Him and gave us the ministry of reconciliation so that by our example we
might bring others to Him,
“ … that is, that God was in Christ reconciling the world
to Himself, not counting people’s sins against them but cancelling them. And He has committed to us the message of
reconciliation that is, restoration to favour with God.” II Corinthians
5:16-19
“No other book offers a motivating power over sin. There are no end of writings outlining how to
be good; no end of platitudes and rules for life, but none can offer any remedy
beyond self-improvement for fallen man.
But the Word of God offers the Holy Spirit to indwell and enable the
believer. The Bible makes living and
dying easier![1]”
“According to current market research, the self-improvement
market was worth $9.9 billion in 2016 and is estimated to grow to $13.2 billion
by 2022 with 5.6% average yearly gains.[2]”
And yet as much as we try to change ourselves, it soon
becomes apparent that we have habits that haunt us no matter what. Psalm 139 tells us, each of us is unique, and
that God established -- from before our conception -- a personal plan to bring
us to the truth of the Cross.
Once we accept the gracious and wonderful gift that Jesus’
death provides, God sets our feet on a personal plan to change our hearts and grow
us more into the image of His beloved Son.
Isn’t that amazing!
Take care with love, especially His, Darlene (who still
prays for you each day)
PS: Find my
statement of faith: https://especiallyhislove.blogspot.com
(where you will also find a series of beginner Bible studies to
share). You can easily find the WeakDay Devotion online by doing a Google
search for ‘WeakDay Devotion’. (Also,
there is an android ‘Google
Blogger’ app you can download to read them on your phone. Not sure about Apple.)
NEW PRAYER REQUESTS
· Barb
– my brother’s faithful and kind wife. Thank
you for praying for her. She needs
prayers to sustain her and protect her health and energy during this time of
additional stress and challenge.
·
UPDATE - Sophie – three-year old
daughter of a friend who continues to have tests to diagnose her disease,
although some serious conclusions have been suggested. She remains frail and unwell. Please pray for her, her parents and health
carers to find ways to manage the symptoms.
·
UPDATE
- Floods in Germany, Belgium and Netherlands
– The unprecedented event has devastated huge areas. The dead discovered number more than 180. Pray for those affected and have lost
everything. Pray for the rescue workers
and those who will support the families of the victims and the survivors.
·
Ray Sr. – now in respite care. Pray the Lord opens His heart to the Truth of
salvation and through this time, relationships with family are strengthened and
Ray Jr and Kathy may know of his decision.
·
Grant’s brother
- still has quite severe headaches. Had
a shunt put in his skull to drain fluid from around the brain, as the fluid was
putting pressure on the brain and affecting balance. Pray for his health carers
as they work to adjust the flow rate and help minimise the pressure.
·
Andrew and Toyoko
M – Please continue to pray for travelling mercies as they travel to
and from Japan. Pray their time there is
filled with surprising blessings and that everything goes smoothly for them.
·
Kim –
lost her Mom earlier this year and recently lost her Dad. She needs prayers while she deals with the
loss of her sweet parents.
·
Rozzy and Jono –
have left Sydney for Vancouver Island Canada to work with youth in the
mid-north coast (the neediest Gospel location in North America). Pray for warm and supportive new friends, travelling
mercies, robust health and that God will grant them a child.
·
Tim –
my brother – for his strength and wisdom and that he rests safely and soundly
in the arms of the Lord while he deals with growing health difficulties and
stresses. Thanksgiving and praise that
the Lord has provided a new health carer who seems competent and skilled.
·
David – as his health waxes and wanes during this
challenging time. Pray for Heidi who cares for him and his
little companion dog, Sparky. Pray God
watches over him and steadies his steps, clears his sight and strengthens his
heart.
·
Cathy – as
she faces stage-4 pancreatic cancer. Her
chemo has begun. She is Barb (my
sister-in-law’s) sister-in-law. Thank
the Lord He has provided Cathy with a supportive family. Please pray for them and their health carers
as they travel through this journey.
·
Pat and Isobel –
as they serve tirelessly in challenging times.
Pray the Lord refreshes and strengthens them.
·
Hans –
a dear friend in Germany, continues his immunotherapy for lung cancer. Pray for his ongoing strength through the
pain, patience and God’s mercy. Continue
to pray for his healthcare providers and that he is surrounded by faithful and
compassionate Christian friends who will support him through this journey. Pray for his Mom (age 84) who is also unwell --
that their time together is filled with extraordinary good memories and lots of
love.
·
Callilah
- a lost child. Pray the Lord will
capture her heart.
Pray for those in full-time service
Pray to uphold our Christian leaders – that they never compromise God’s Word, are bold and courageous in the face of evil. Pray for their wisdom, safety, ingenuity, strength and for their families.
Pray for those with ongoing health concerns
Many of us have family, friends and loved ones with fragile health. Pray God takes special care with them and protects them in practical ways and that the Lord will have mercy on them during this challenging time.
Pray for the World
[1]
© 1958, Moody Bible Institute
of Chicago, God’s Word Made Plain, by Mrs. Paul Friederichsen, p. 30
[2]
Brandminds Blog, Julia-Cristina
Uta, ‘The
Self-Improvement Industry Estimated to be $13.2 Billion by 2022’, published
27 June 2019.
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